FG cuts MSME council members to 21

The Federal Government has reduced the membership of the National Council on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises from 43 to 21.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this on Wednesday while inaugurating the new council, which he chairs, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Osinbajo said the decision to streamline membership of the council was meant to ensure that results were achieved without unnecessary bureaucracy.

He stated, “There is much work to be done. The MSME sector is the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialisation and inclusive economic development, and the most important component of the industrialisation drive in the country’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, being the primary drivers of employment, wealth creation and poverty alleviation. It is important to re-emphasize the point that this council will have the same success delivery platform as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee.

“The membership of the council has been streamlined for the purpose of achieving results without undue bureaucracy.

“For instance, the existing membership has been reduced from 43 to 21 for effectiveness and purposefulness.”

The council, which also serves as the coordinating platform for the implementation of all development programmes within the sub-sector, especially the National Enterprise Development Programme, was first launched in 2014.